We had a wonderful Christmas.  It was different not having Christmas with my dad this year, the first time in 36 years that we haven't had Christmas Eve at my parents.  It will take some getting use to, but time for some new traditions.  We missed dad but what greater joy could their be than to be with the Lord and mom.

It has been so nice being off work this week, was able to get a lot done around the house this week and also had our grandsons here from Monday until today.  They were a big help in taking down the decorations and carrying things to the basement for me.  Now tomorrow I get to stock back up on the food!  Two growing boys eat a lot!  Our daughter also had off work, it was nice to have her home also.  Today a friend came to visit and we went to the local quilt stores, it has been awhile since I have been to any quilting stores, much less done any sewing.  Hoping now that I am getting use to working that I will be able to get back into the sewing and scrapbooking.  We will be having a quiet evening at home for New Years Eve.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

~Cheryl~

Went to cut the tree!

It has been at least twelve years since we have had a real Christmas tree.  So this year we decided to have a real tree and take our grandsons along to cut it.   So this morning we all ventured out in the foggy, misty weather to search for the perfect tree.

                                                                                          

They gave us a wagon ride out to the trees, and came back about 30 minutes later to get us.  It was fun trying to decide on which tree. 

Way to big for our house, keep looking!

Found it!
(smaller one behind the big one).

Helping grandpa cut the tree.

Then came the fun part, for grandpa, dragging it out to the path.

Now we just had to wait for the tractor to come back and get us.  It was fun our daughter came with us also.  Our grandsons enjoyed having Aunt Tammy along.

The tree is in the house with the lights on.  This tree may not be perfect, ( trunk not straight, a few gaps in the branches) all trees are beautiful after they are decorated!  Going to watch a Christmas special and decorate the tree tonight, with the help of the boys.  It has become a tradition for them to help with the tree, forbid we would think of doing it with out them. (wink)  Perfect night for it, the snow is falling!

I am finally getting a picture posted of us with Jonathan after his baptism.  What a blessing seeing him follow the Lord.  There is no greater joy than to see our grandsons wanting to live for the Lord.  I pray that they will stay strong in their faith as they continue to grow.

Christmas lights are all on, candles lit, popcorn made, off to decorate the tree!

Have a wonderful evening.

~Cheryl~

Happy Thanksgiving

                                                                                                             

                                                                                                          

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

 

I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving.

Psalm 69:30

Our family will be spending this Thanksgiving with my brother and all of his family.  Do miss not having the smell of turkey baking in the oven this morning.  Our grandsons spent the night and made cookie turkeys to take along today.  Jonathan decided that the turkeys needed a fire to roast a candy corn in.   Will also be taking pumpkin, apple and cherry pies.

We had a special breakfast today, pancakes with fall M&M's in them, sausage patties and links, and hot chocolate in Christmas mugs.  They also ate one of the turkeys, had to sample and make sure they were good. 

I have been thinking about this past year and we have so much to be thankful for, the Lord has blessed us in so many ways.  He has met our needs and been there for us in the harder times.  

We serve an awesome God! 

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving

God Bless

~Cheryl~

Getting Ready For An Important Day

Been getting ready today for an important day for our grandson Jonathan.

Tomorrow he will be following the Lord in Believers Baptism.

I have been busy baking the buns for the sandwiches.  Making three dozen white buns, the last ones are rising and almost ready to go in.

Also made some Pumpkin Rolls for sandwiches, you can get the recipe here:

They are very good.

          

Finished up the cake for him this afternoon.  Homemade chocolate cake with white frosting. Bought a small container of the Wilton Decorating Icing for the flowers instead of making it as we don't care for the entire cake frosted with the decorating icing.  It is not professional, but is made with love for a very special occasion.  

 

                

Have a wonderful evening!

~Cheryl~

Had off Three Days

 

There was no school on Friday so I had a three day weekend.

It was so nice being home!  I enjoy the work that I do with the Special Ed Children, but miss being home.

Yesterday, went with my daughter to a wedding of a good friends daughter.  Such a sweet Christian wedding, so good to see two people following God's plan for their lives.

This afternoon I made my DH an Apple Pie, he came home and said he could smell it as soon as he walked into the garage.   Also made bread and rolls for steakum sandwiches tomorrow night.

Have a blessed Lords Day!

~Cheryl~

Snowed Today!

This morning it started to snow just before I left for work.

I always love the first snow.  When I got home from work, took a little break before starting anything and turned on the Christmas music.  Waited all day to do that!  It is suppose to warm up this weekend so the snow won't stay around.  So will enjoy it for now.

Have some rosemary and parsley that is still outside that I have been meaning to get transplanted to bring in.  Really need to get this done in the next day or two.  The snow didn't seem to hurt it.

Still working on the apples, it is slow going trying to get them done after work.  Feel like it may never get done some days.  What was I thinking picking more apples this past weekend ;)

Enjoy your evening,

~Cheryl~

More Apples

We had a busy weekend with the grandsons spending Friday night.  On Saturday the youngest one spent the day with grandpa at the rifle range.  Grandpa was helping people sight in their guns for deer hunting season.  In between people the two of them were able to do some shooting.  

The other grandson stayed with me and we went and picked some apples.  The orchard that is only a couple of miles from our house had free u-pick apples on Saturday.  How can you resist free apples!  We picked Honey Crisp apples, they are so good.  Also picked some others, not sure what kind they are.  Kept two bags of the Honey Crisp to add to our apples for cider, then picked about three bushel for their  mom to do.  Put the apples that I cooked up yesterday afternoon through the colander today after work then cooked up another batch that I will do tomorrow.  Hoping to be able to get an apple press from the Amish to use this weekend to make our cider.  It will be good to have some cider again.  

~Cheryl~